Formulate a Good Question

Formulating a good question is an art. Ask any lawyer, therapist or teacher and they will affirm that how a question is framed will affect the answer. The same holds true of cards. Asking a good a question makes for a better reading. Here are three guideposts for formulating the best question for your card reading.

Accept Responsibility

When I first started reading, I noticed that people had a natural inclination toward closed questions. “Should I or shouldn’t I do . . .” It’s possible to do a card reading for any question (more so with Lenormand than Tarot), and it might give you some insight. But Tarot is not intended to be used for some questions.

It’s a waste to ask closed questions of a complex and beautiful system like Tarot. You could flip a coin or swing a pendulum to get a yes/no answer. You could ask anything, but it makes the reader use the cards in unsophisticated ways. You could use a CD as a coaster and it would do the job. But that’s not it’s intended purpose or most effective usage.

Closed questions also have a tendency to be motivated by fear and a desire for certainty. That’s not a happy place and intentions weigh heavily with cards. It’s the difference between asking for guidance and wanting someone to tell you what to do. You’ll have a better reading if you accept responsibility and know that the future is contingent on your choices. Then the cards can give you rich insight by articulating things that were already in your heart, clarifying something that was unsure, or revealing something that was hidden. Here is an example:

“Should I put my house on the market?” (Convergent question with only yes/no answer.)

“When will my house sell?” (Time constrained question with limited options – it assumes the house will sell.)

“Help me understand what is preventing my house from selling.” (Bingo! An open-ended question asking for guidance.)

Search For Meaning Not Data

When you accept responsibility and are aware of your own power in your life, you won’t need someone (or cards) to tell you what to do. You’ll want insight so you can make a better or more informed decision.

Questions that seek the when/what/who/where tend to narrow the possibilities. These kind of questions are funneling down and trying to arrive at a single conclusion that is factual or exclusive. Not all questions that begin with those words are convergent questions, but it’s something to think about.

Questions that ask the how and why of a situation will give greater insight. This is integrally tied to the point above about accepting responsibility. The Spirit is pointing us to the narrow gate instead of the wide road. No one picks the harder path unless you face your fears, assess the risks and rewards, and decide that growth and positive change is worth the journey through the narrow gate. Revealed data doesn’t make us face fears. But in the face of revealed meaning our natural response is contemplation which can lead to growth.

Get Specific

Maybe you jumped at the idea of a card reading but you don’t even know what to ask. You may have a question and halfway through the reading realize that you actually wanted to ask a different question. Or you may ask and discover that you didn’t really want to know that answer.

Spend some quiet time thinking about your question. Reframe it a few times and notice how your body responds. This will most likely lead you to the heart of the matter. Here’s an example. You’re working on a new project with someone from a different department and you’ve just met. You’re not sure if your weird feeling around him is because he’s not talkative or because something is skeevy. Here’s how you might find the right question.

“Is he trustworthy?” (This is a yes/no question.)

“Should I try to get to know him better or keep a distance?” (A convergent question funneling to one answer)

“Give me insight into his feelings about me.” (You notice your heart flutters a little when you frame it this way. You realize it’s a gossipy question that comes from your own insecurity about how people see you at work. Fear and desire for certainty – look for it and avoid this motivation. It’s also a nosy or spying question and considered unethical for some readers. In this example I would say it is directly relevant to querent and is okay, but it would be better reframed.)

“How should I relate to this colleague during this upcoming project?” (Bingo! A question with an answer that will empower you and give you guidance.)

A Few Words About Lenormand

It’s true that with Lenormand you can ask anything, but it’s also true that a better question will result in a better reading. “When” questions are difficult to answer because the nature of card reading traverses the boundaries of time. There are ways to do it, but it requires confining the cards rather than letting them speak. Grand Tableaus are often read with no specific question in mind because it gives so much information. With smaller Lenormand card readings, keep your questions focused, simple, and specific. Be mindful of your motivation and avoid approaching the cards from a place of insecurity or wanting a quick fix. Approach the cards like you would a friend as you seek guidance and insight.

Are you having trouble formulating a question? Want a reading but unsure what or how to ask? Contact me to schedule a reading and we can figure it out together.